The former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University opined asserted that “The Spirit of Biafra is ion every Ibo man or woman. It is an ideology. It is devoid of geography. Wherever we are or will be, we shall continue to be Ibos, to be Biafrans, for the threats of pogrom enslavement and extermination will never cease.
‘Despite the verbal violence and grandiose rhetoric of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB is not a terrorist Origination. No person has been killed by IPOB. Its rallies have been heavily crowded, but it has not been shown that any person carried or discharged weapons during the rallies. Their exuberance proved the wide, aggressive and passion-filled disconnect with Nigeria and the older generation. This is understandable. I belong to this generation and we have failed our people. For the Ibo self-haters, the enemy within is a bigger threat than the enemy outside.
Loading ...“The illegality of South-East governors proscribing all activities of IPOB, or the Armed Forces declaring IIPOB as a terrorist organization is beyond question. We cannot justify the Army, subjecting defenceless youths, who are unarmed to physical torture, denigrating their dignity, ordering them to slap each other and forcing them to drink and eventually drown in muddy waters. it is inhuman, barbaric and senseless. Which other organization has been declared a terrorist organization…”
Okafor stated that “as a student of Constitutional law, no people with the diversities and conflicts that exist within us have ever survived as a nation, unless in a very loose federation or confederation. Suppressing violently the self determination groups is unlikely to kill the agitation for re-structuring. it is clear to me that nation.”
He described the Ibos as peaceful people, adding that demonstrations towards realization of the right to self-determination are recognized as fundamental rights in international Law and United Nations Charter which Nigeria is bound to.
Recalling the past atrocities, pogroms and threats of extermination for over 100 years like the Jews whose ordeals ended with the creation of State of Israel in 1948, he expressed worry that no arrest has been made to people who issued the Civil Notice to Ibos to leave the North, frowning upon non-protection of Ibos from Fulani herds-men’s attacks and non stationing of army in the North as the October deadline approaches.
But Governor Obiano through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chude Anadi voiced out that the volume of criminal case files that came in this year was alarming following “restiveness that occurred in various communities in the State while the activities of miscreants that were previously under control rearted their ugly heads dangerously again and stretched the arms of the staff of the Department of Public Prosecution.
He stated that, contrary to the threat of IPOB that the November 18, 2017 gubernatorial election will not hold, “Anambra State will be going to the polls to elect a governor who will take charge of the affairs of the state for the next four years.
According to him, “Enemies of the State wanted to take advantage to plunge Anambra State into chaos by directing that elections will not hold in Anambra State. It is the duty of Ndi Anambra to stand up to the occasion and refuse to allow people who do not wish Anambra State well to drag us to a situation whereby we will be turned into the guinea pig in Nigeria polity
“I want to use this opportunity to urge Anambrarians to come out enmasse on the day of election and cast their votes for a candidate of your choice and to resist any attempt to create opportunities for enemies of our dear state to hoist on us a government that is not the wish of the people.”
The remarks which formed part of the commencement of the 2017 Legal Year saw the State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi describe the 7th Legal Year since 26th September 2011 when he took over as the Chief Judge as a milestone.
Giving statistics of cases for the High Courts, he said a total of 7,444 cases were disposed during the period 3rd Quarter 2016 to 2nd Quarter ended 30th June 2017 from a total of 8,850 cases filed under the period of review, while a total of 9061 are still pending at the beginning of the 3rd Quarter as against 10,467 cases pending at the Quarter Ended June 2017.
In the same vein, The Chief Judge pointed out that the Magistrate Courts disposed 10,039 cases for the period 3rd Quarter Year 2015 to 2nd Quarter Year 2016 out of 12,425 cases filed same period of review whereas 2,386 are still pending.
The Chief Judge noted that the 34 Customary Courts in the State have disposed a total of 4,155 cases out of 6,163 cases filed within the year, while 19,554 case are still pending, recalling that a total of 18,518 cases were brought forward from last September 2016 to June 2017.
The Legal Year commenced with the Order of Eucharistic and Thanksgiving Service officiated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Ibezim, the Anglican Bishop of Awka,at Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka.
The Legal Year church service was attended by the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu, Hon Justice Samuel N. Okoye, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Anadi, serving and visiting judges of the High and Customary Courts,Chief Judges emeritus, traditional rulers, Chairmen and members of the Bar,, Chief Registrars as well as representatives of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) branches in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha, among others.
